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USRA 0-8-0 Steam Locomotive

21

Troubleshooting Proto-Sound® Problems

Although Proto-Sound 2.0 has been designed and engineered for ease of  use,
 you may have some questions during initial operation.  The following table
 should answer most questions.  If your problem cannot be resolved with this 
table, contact M.T.H. for assistance (telephone: 410-381-2580; fax: 410-423-0009; 
[email protected], 7020 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia MD 
21046-1532).

Starting Up

Whistle/Horn

Bell

Coupler

Remedy

Remedy

Remedy

Remedy

Remedy

When I first turn the power on, the 
engine will not begin to run.  I 
have to turn the throttle off and 
then on again to get the engine to 
operate.

When I press the whistle/horn 
button, the bell comes on instead.

I can’t get the horn to blow when I 
press the whistle button.

I can’t get the bell to ring when I 
press the bell button.

The bell won’t work on a separate 
bell button.

When I try to fire the coupler, FYS 
starts.

The Proto-Coupler won’t let the 
engine uncouple on the fly.

The coupler does not fire or stay 
coupled.

When I press the whistle button, 
the bell sounds.

Reverse the transformer leads.

You may be pressing the button 
too quickly. Try pressing the 
whistle/horn button more slowly, 
taking approximately one full 
second to fully depress the button.

You may be pressing the button 
too quickly. Try pressing the bell 
button more slowly, taking 
approximately one full second to 
fully depress the button.

Reverse the transformer leads.

Check the wiring of the separate 
button.

You are waiting too long between 
whistle button presses.

Try lubricating the coupler knuckle 
with a dry graphite lubricant. Do 
NOT use oil.

The coupler needs to be cleaned.  
Wipe with denatured alcohol (not 
rubbing alcohol) and let dry.

This is normal behavior.  To 
prevent accidental high-speed 
start-ups, Proto-Sound 2.0 is 
programmed to start up in neutral 
anytime track power has been 
turned off for several seconds.  

Summary of Contents for USRA 0-8-0Steam Locomotive

Page 1: ...ny O 31 Gauge track system 3 rail 31 radius 2 rail including M T H s RealTrax and ScaleTrax or traditional tubular track It is also compatible with most AC and DC transformers See page 24 for a list o...

Page 2: ...PRODUCT Not recommended for children under 10 years of age M T H recommends adult supervision with children ages 10 16 As with all electric products precautions should be observed during handling and...

Page 3: ...screw Once you have configured the engine for 2 rail or 3 rail operation you must manually select the power input switch located on the bottom of the tender for 2 rail operation as seen in Figure 1 Co...

Page 4: ...the wires from the transformer to the track or reverse the locomotive s orientation on the track itself Instead simply slide the polarity switch located on the tender as seen in Figure 3 DCS Polarity...

Page 5: ...k We recommend M T H ProtoSmoke Seuthe LGB or LVTS fluids Do not overfill the unit or the fluid may leak out and coat the interior engine components USRA 0 8 0 Steam Locomotive 5 DO NOT OVER OIL DO NO...

Page 6: ...draw bar between the engine and tender The draw bar hole located farthest from the tender is for applications such as display The second hole is for normal operation on the track At this point you are...

Page 7: ...and speed The engine will maintain the speed you set after you release the throttle until you turn it again to change the voltage and speed Bell To sound the bell in an engine equipped with a bell fi...

Page 8: ...To adjust the volume of all sounds made by this engine turn the master volume control knob located next to the fuel tank clockwise to increase the volume and counter clockwise to decrease the volume F...

Page 9: ...o activate features rather than to blow the horn or ring the bell you should tap the buttons very quickly with a second pause between button presses You may need to practice your timing to make this w...

Page 10: ...n to trigger the sounds and Proto Sound 2 0 has disabled operator control over the Horn Whistle and Bell buttons until the full FYS PSA sequence is complete After waiting about 30 seconds for that seq...

Page 11: ...ou run FYS PSA in Proto Sound 2 0 FYS PSA can be triggered from Neutral It will operate the same as if triggered while in motion except that at the conclusion of the FYS PSA the engine will depart in...

Page 12: ...will run more slowly at a given throttle voltage when speed control is on than when it is off you should adjust the throttle to a lower power level for operation with speed control off to avoid high s...

Page 13: ...To override the settings you currently have assigned to the engine and reset it to its factory defaults while in Neutral tap the Horn button quickly once followed by five quick taps of the Bell button...

Page 14: ...ive s internal gearing was greased at the factory and should not need additional grease until after 50 hours of operation or one year whichever comes first To access the gear box and axles do the foll...

Page 15: ...lectrical contact and traction as well as prematurely wear out the neoprene traction tires Wheels and tires can be cleaned using denatured not rubbing alcohol applied with a cotton swab USRA 0 8 0 Ste...

Page 16: ...bble while operating 5 Make sure the tire is fully seated inside the groove Use a razor blade to trim away any excess tire that doesn t seat itself inside the groove properly 6 Reinstall the side rods...

Page 17: ...mokebox front from the boiler shell Fig 11 3 Gently pull the bulb from the headlight shell and separate the blue connector inside the smokebox area Fig 12 4 Insert the replacement bulb and the smokebo...

Page 18: ...down and can be recharged There are a number of ways you can do this Leave the engine in neutral with track voltage at 10 12 volts for 6 7 hours so the battery can fully recharge if your engine has a...

Page 19: ...otoSmoke Seuthe LGB or LVTS fluids Do not overfill the unit or the fluid may leak out and coat the interior engine components If you choose not to add the fluid or have already added the fluid but cho...

Page 20: ...ard mounted to the inside of the boiler and behind the smoke unit 2 Remove the two screws securing the smoke unit inside the shell as seen in Fig 17 3 With the board free of the mounting screws slide...

Page 21: ...l won t work on a separate bell button When I try to fire the coupler FYS starts The Proto Coupler won t let the engine uncouple on the fly The coupler does not fire or stay coupled When I press the w...

Page 22: ...the neutral position Follow the procedure in the Lock into a Direction section Engine speed must be below 10 scale mph approx 10 volts or less in conventional mode Proto Sound 2 0 volume is set too hi...

Page 23: ...realistic as possible Proto Sound 2 0 disables the reversing unit whenever FYS is enabled This way the engine remains still at its stop as the operator cycles through the FYS sequences FYS is program...

Page 24: ...U A 9 19v 110 Watt Standard Lionel SW U A Unknown 130 Watt Standard Lionel TW U A 8 18v 175 Watt Standard Lionel ZW Lionel Post War Celebration Series ZW A B C or D A B C or D U Common 8 20v 0 20v 27...

Page 25: ...2 0 trains but does not turn off the power One Touch Global Mute UnMute Single button mutes or unmutes all DCS controlled locomotives user defined actions including sound lights and smoke Proto Dispa...

Page 26: ...less of whether you discussed the problem with a service technician when contacting the Service Center for your Return Authorization Please make sure you have followed the instructions carefully befor...

Page 27: ...1 475 2020 219 838 9999 ROUNDHOUSE DEPOT HOBBY SHOP SAMUELSON S TRAIN SHOP NORTH HOLLYWOOD lANTANA VALPARAISO 818 769 0403 561 585 1982 219 462 2708 DOLLHOUSES TRAINS HOLLYWOOD STATION MORE MIAMI IOWA...

Page 28: ...0 SYKESVILLE 410 549 6061 GENE S TRAINS THIRD STREET DEPOT BRICK NIAGARA FALLS CATOCTIN MOUNTAIN TRAINS 732 840 9728 716 285 6464 HOBBIES THURMONT COLUMBUS TRAIN STATION ISLAND TRAINS 301 694 8331 COL...

Page 29: ...S LONGVIEW LONDON 903 757 2720 ENGLISH MODEL RR 740 852 0899 MONTOURSVILLE UTAH 800 327 5126 CLEARVIEW TRAIN HOBBY ALMOSTA JUNCTION LORAIN CLEARFIELD STATION M H INDUSTRIES 440 277 4488 801 776 1656 N...

Page 30: ...P CHICAGO RICE LAKE OHIO 773 775 4848 715 234 2996 DAVIS TRAINS MILFORD KENTUCKY 1 800 448 1060 CANADA L N TRAINS THINGS TOY TRAIN WORKSHOP LOUISVILLE CUMBERLAND PENNSYLVANIA 502 897 9005 13 833 8331...

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